Conservatives Force Urgent Vote on Alberta Pipeline Agreement Next Week

UPDATE: The Conservative Party is set to force a critical vote on the controversial pipeline agreement between the Liberal government and Alberta in the House of Commons next week. This urgent motion, scheduled for July 25, 2023, aims to test the commitment of Prime Minister Mark Carney and his administration to the deal signed just last month.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the federal government and Alberta has garnered mixed reactions, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre asserting that the Liberals must align their actions with the promises made in the agreement. “Liberals have to unify behind the words they promised in the MOU they signed,” Poilievre stated during an interview with CTV News.

In an unprecedented move, the Conservative opposition motion mimics the exact wording of the original agreement, compelling a vote that could significantly impact the future of energy projects in Canada. Poilievre emphasized, “We need a new pipeline to the Pacific,” referencing the need to override current tanker bans to facilitate bitumen shipments to Asia.

Political analysts are closely watching this development. Former chief of staff to Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Sharan Kaur, noted, “It’s really going to be a moment for the Liberals. I think they’re going to have to whip this vote, specifically because it’s their MOU that they signed with Alberta.”

This vote comes amid increasing tensions within the Liberal cabinet, following the resignation of Steven Guilbeault over the pipeline deal and the departure of two government climate advisors this week. Climate expert Catherine Abreau from the International Climate Politics Hub remarked, “The MOU was the final straw, absolutely,” highlighting broader concerns about the government’s climate policy direction.

The outcome of this vote will not only determine the fate of the pipeline agreement but will also serve as a litmus test of support for Carney’s government amidst growing dissent. A failure to secure a unified vote could deliver another significant political blow to the Liberal Party.

As the political landscape shifts, all eyes will be on the House of Commons next Tuesday to see how the Liberals respond to the mounting pressure.